Chateau Lafleur

In the glass

Aroma: mulberry, cherry, rose petal, iris, orange zest, vine smoke, black truffle

Palate: pure blue and black fruits, supple tannins, vivid acidity, profound depth, long resonant finish

Unique Pomerol with an equal Cabernet Franc-Merlot split giving a perfumed floral lift and structural precision rarely seen in the appellation. Biodynamic farming since 2014; produced from just 4.5 hectares on the Pomerol plateau.

What it pairs with

• Roasted rack of venison with wild berry reduction
  The wine's high Cabernet Franc percentage gives a tension and berry brightness that lifts the gamey meat.
• Truffle-studded roast beef fillet
  Black truffle aromas and the wine's deep concentration find a natural pairing; tannin structure handles the fat.
• Aged sheep's-milk cheese (Ossau-Iraty)
  Lanolin richness of aged sheep's milk harmonises with the wine's floral aromatics.
• Slow-braised short rib with root vegetables
  Collagen-rich beef gains complexity from the iron-mineral core; fruit depth matches the long braise.

How to serve Chateau Lafleur

Allow 95 minutes from open to pour.

1. Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
2. Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
3. Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass. The bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
4. Pair with. Roasted rack of venison with wild berry reduction, Truffle-studded roast beef fillet, Aged sheep's-milk cheese (Ossau-Iraty). Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.

History

Lafleur dates to 1872 and passed through several owners before the Guinaudeau family took charge. Baptiste and Julie Guinaudeau manage the tiny 4.5-hectare estate with a precision that has earned it comparisons to Petrus. Biodynamic farming was introduced in 2014, aligning with the family's philosophy of minimal intervention. The 25% new oak regime is deliberately conservative for a wine of this quality level.

1. 1872: Estate established on the Pomerol plateau
2. 1946: Guinaudeau family first acquires an interest in the property
3. 1984: First vintage of Pensees de Lafleur sister wine produced
4. 2014: Biodynamic farming adopted across the estate

Facts

Producer

Chateau Lafleur · visiting guide

Grapes

Cabernet Franc (50%), Merlot (50%)

Classification

Pomerol AOC

Oak

15 months in 25% new French oak; 75% previously used barrels from Grand Village

ABV

14.5%

Price

€800-1500 at retail

Drinking window

10-40 from vintage

First vintage

1872

Biodynamic

Biodynamic Practicing

Organic

ECOCERT

Frequently asked about Chateau Lafleur

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